Day 155 January 9
I woke up at 4:30, but willed myself back to sleep until almost 9. I was still sleepy and just decided to take the morning slow. I put on a DVD on my bed and got out some school things. I worked a little bit, but mostly did not. Towards 11:30 I started cleaning the room and the DVD ran out of material. I turned on the music as I migrated around the house, cleaning and starting laundry. I showered and did the dishes and took out the trash, all between laundry doing. Sierra came home from a hike and we got smoothies. I finished my laundry and we headed to Casa Villamil together after she showered.
As my first time on the internet since school started I had some things to take care of and I called Kayleigh to talk about her trip (yay!) It was productive and good to be online after being away (I am an addict, after all.)
I went home and cleaned up a bit, made dinner, and walked to Caroline’s house with Sierra for Julie and Julia. The movie was fun, but a bit much at times. Sierra’s cat, which is actually Josue’s cat on loan, and will be living at Caroline and Alex’s house, was there and very friendly. She (we think) is named Rafiki, Rafi for short, and is very friendly. She has a nice house and a litter box of dirt for now.
When the movie was done, I sleepily walked home and went to bed.
Day 156 January 10
*One thing I forgot to mention in the past days is that I finished The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I thought the beginning was very good, but it lost momentum and purpose by the end. It was a fun read, but certainly not the best thing I’ve read this year. I picked up Jayber Crow in the teacher’s lounge because the author, Wendell Berry, is a name I know and have enjoyed before in environmental readings and poetry. I didn’t get very far into the book, so maybe I didn’t give it a fair shot, but I simply could not get into his fiction. I think I will return it and enter into the world of the Amber Chronicles by Roger Zelanzny. My brother got me all ten books in one volume for Christmas, so it would keep me occupied for a while.*
This morning, I did something I haven’t done in a very long time. I woke u pat 7:15, changed into my black shorts and a tank top, stretched and met Megan on the street in the chilly rain showers for a run.
Megan was good for a start, because she’s not very competitive with her running and willing to run at a slow pace with me. We went out to the ruins, and then kept going a ways, but did not make it all the way out to the hotel before turning around. We chatted along the way. It felt good. It felt really good. And, as per usual, it was not the muscles in my legs that wore me down, it was my lungs, but I didn’t push them too hard and will probably try to run every other day for a while with either Megan or Luis (if he is so inclined.) I was more than happen to be out there again, and the ruins run was a nice introduction as it’s the only road around that’s flat!
I got home and took a long shower, made breakfast and coffee and caught up with my roommates. I got a little nail happy in the kitchen, making things more accessible and adding in a recipe box. I did succeed in hammering my thumb though, which inspired an end. It hurts. The house is cold (to us, anyway) so I cuddled up with a blanket and read the last short story in the book My First Year as a Teacher. A book of inspiring first year teaching experiences that I’ve been reading on and off since my second day of school.
I then went to Megan’s for worship, but there were only four of us. It lead to a really nice discussion about faith goals for the new year and I suggested a weekly bible study on top of the Sunday worship. We’ll see how it goes.
I got home and cleaned up the house, got some shopping done for the week, and read. Luis came back to town today after a few weeks out of town, so we met up and got baleads (three between the two of us, que rico!) He went home a bit before 9, at which point I started getting ready for bed. I went downstairs for a glass of water and Eileen was at my door, desiring a warm shower (her house is often without water) so I let her in and went to sleep.
Day 157 January 11
The weather here can fool you. On chilly days, it always gets colder during the school day and then warms up after the kids leave.
I left home at 5:40, later than planned, and took the long way to school because of construction. Walking by myself I made pretty good time and walked in at 6:10. But no coffee. I made tea and started getting ready for the day. By the time school started, I was glad I was wearing long sleeves under my polo uniform, but upset I had not had the foresight to bring a jacket, no matter how inadequate. You, reader, may find it amusing that I am in Copan Ruinas, Honduras and complaining of cold but there are two factors to take into account. The lesser of which is that when you live in a warm climate, you get used to a warm climate and the cold affects you more. The second is that, here, we have no heated buildings. There is no escaping the cold. When I was in the States, it could be in the 40s and I would be fine. The cold never has time to reach your bones when you go from car to building, building to car. Here, you walk inside…and it’s just as cold. It was about 11c this morning and 13c during the day. With wind in the evening. It was cold.
I peppered my classes with 3 minute exercises, running in place the countdown shake-out, to keep us all feeling warm and focused. I really think it helped (it helped me, plus, I was downing tons of coffee just because it was warm.)
After school I cancelled tutorias to give two make-up tests and graded them before he left. Last week’s spelling grades (with silent ws and ks) inspired a new approach to this weeks words (to, too, two, hour, our, they’re, their, there.) If I thought those types of words were hard for me, try learning them when your first language actually sounds like it’s spelled. Every letter has one sound, so if a word sounds different…it is different.
I walked home with Megan and we went glove shopping, but found nothing. I got some rice noodles (which I’m really excited about) and went home. I did a little bit of work before heading to Casa Villamil for 45 minutes or so. It was enough to do some catching up and updating, but I didn’t get all the conversations in I’d like to have.
I hurried home (frigidly cold) and got ready to go running with Luis. We ran the same basic route, but ran a bit further and a bit faster. It felt really good.
We went back to the house and drank water and chatted until Beth and Abby came home. Luis left for dinner and Abby and I had a nice long chat while we cooked our separate dinners. I showered after dinner, put on a full outfit of warmth and got in bed. I was going to read, and did for maybe 5 pages, but I was asleep by 8:20.
As I found out the next day at school, I was apparently running during a small earthquake that I did not notice. It came from not too far away and was a 4.5. Huh.
Day 158 January 12
I shaved another 5 minutes off my walk to school, leaving at 5:40 and arriving at 6:05, going the long way. Let’s see what happens tomorrow… Today, I was dressed for the cold, and while it was only a degree warmer in the morning, it felt much better. I felt much better all day, actually. In part because of my clothes, but also because I only had a few moments of chills rather than a whole day. And, I didn’t feel a need to drown myself in coffee.
We did take a few minutes to do exercises in class, to keep the blood flowing, but it was also less necessary. Tomorrow should be the last day of the cold front. And I made a huge mistake, but my kids are amazing…. I approached a lesson as though it was a chore. I was approaching the types of rocks and the rock cycle as a laborious task we’d have to get through. Lesson one: NEVER do that and lesson two: it’s not. Even though my approach was mundane, my kids took off with it, and after one lesson (sometime last week) I knew I had to redraw my approach with more fun, energy, and pet rocks. Oh yeah, we have pet rocks. I have two, one is Cranky Billy (he has an angry face) and the other is Smiling Frank (thank you for your influence in my childhood, David.)
We are having a blast and I think rocks and multiplication are the first two things I’ve taught that are not some extension on what my kids already knew. They’ve never seen this stuff before. It’s a strange feeling, but I love feeling like I’m really teaching them. It’s bringing to light some things I should have done better before, but I can incorporate those lessons easily.
The last class was a birthday party (and before which the mother called and asked me to speak with them, because the tradition is to soak the birthday child in water at the end of the school day and it’s just too cold for that. I essentially threatened them with what they consider their lives. We all agreed that they could chase him, as though they had water, as long as not one drop touched him.) They tried to talk my into playing futbol, but I would not. I try to keep an air of mystery about me, and part of that is only touching a futbol if I know I can completely control it, and not show them that I really stink.
After school I had two student tutorias, which we wonderful. I think we can really start making progress this way. And then Megan and I rushed home so that we could go running before our, separate, tutorias. That is when I discovered I was locked out of my house. I called her and asked if she had spare running clothes. She did. I went to her house and changed. I went for another wondrous run, slightly further, but slightly slower. My muscles are feeling tight, but not sore.
After which, I still couldn’t get into my house, so I changed back into my clothes and went to tutorias…gross. Another student has started joining us for the homework portion of the tutorias, I don’t have a problem as long as his mom doesn’t mind, she is the one paying me food.
When I left, I still couldn’t get in touch with anyone and was still locked out the house, and shower-less. I left a note and went to Casa Villamil so anyone could find me. After 15 minutes, Sierra called me and I ran home to go in the house. Yay key! We talked a bit and walked out together, as she was heading to Chris’. I went back to Villamil for a while (she said she was surprised when I said I had not showered, that I looked great. Hope I can believe her!)
After a bit more interneting, I went home and crawled into my warm bed and read. Some time after dinner, Luis came over and we chatted, I’m trying to speak more Spanish, and then I was to bed by 9:20.
Day 159 January 13
I walked in with Sierra this morning, so I left 3 minutes later and took the normal route, changing the plan to time myself again. I got in and put my room together, as I’d left things a mess yesterday. I realized I’d not planned well for the day and quickly got myself together (especially since Diana warned me that the Library would not be open and I had to fill in for the period.)
Rocks and multiplication are still going well (we’re now telling rock stories, like “My name is Billy, I was a sedimentary rock, but then I was changed by heat and pressure. What type of rock am I?”) I stopped by Miss Norma’s room because Franqie, her husband, had invited me over to watch New Moon in Spanish, and I know Nilvio has wanted me over to see the new house and meet his two dogs. I’d also really like to make more local friends. She said Saturday afternoon would be lovely and then we could all have dinner. Yay!
At the end of the day, I had a Wednesday “After School Special” on volcanoes, which goes really well with what I’m teaching right now. A few of my high students stayed and it was really good. Elvira’s curiosities are insatiable. I love it. I wish I could cater to her curiosities all day. I think she would stay everyday to talk to me if we could, but it keeps me motivated to do these “After School Specials” even when I don’t want to. She, and others who want to come, deserve to get in extra learning if they want to!
Abby got home shortly after I did, and was on her way to class, but said she wanted to go for a quick run after. I had planned to take the day off, but decided to go for. I lounged around the house until she got back and then we took off, past all the construction men working near our house towards the ruins. It was the furthest, most consistently paced run I’ve had yet, but I broke through a couple walls to keep up with her (she wasn’t going horrifically fast, I just wasn’t used to the distance.) It felt great.
I started to cook up dinner, but was really upset to discover that our gas tank ran out, again, in the middle of me sautéing veggies and trying to boil noodles. I was some kind of put out. I managed to pull things together, haphazardly, in the toaster oven. But nothing had the same flavor.
I found myself alone in the house early and took advantage to go to bed pretty early.
Day 160 January 14
I left the house a little late, realized I had forgotten my jacket and scarf, and went back. I was about half way to school when a cab came by and I decided I really just wanted to get their early. I had left too many things un-done and wanted to get to it quickly. Lucky for me…I have no idea where my keys are. I was locked out of my room. I thought my keys must be in the room, but when I did get in, half an hour later, they were not. Hopefully, they are at home. I rushed through all of my prep and dove head first into the day.
Not having things completely hammered out, led to a 45 minute period with nothing to do…so, I threw together, in 3 minutes, a jeopardy game. I just drew it up on the board with the categories “Multiply by 3s” “Multiply by 5s” “Rocks” and “Strange” (as a what ever I want to ask category.) The girls won regular jeopardy, but the boys came back and won the final jeopardy question, pulling ahead of the girls. They had a blast, Elvira says it’s her new favorite game, even though they lost.
After school I had tutorias, and I really hope things start going better for Juan. Megan says the administrators want to know if any of the teachers think a kid should be in public school, if their language skills are preventing them from getting an education. I’m not sure what to do about him. His father works for the school as a vigilante, his best friend is at Mayatan, and he’s a good kid, but his language skills are making everything difficult for him and he has no faith in himself. I think I’d rather hold him back a year than send him out of the school, see if it does any good.
Megan and I walked home and went for a run. We went out as fat as Abby and I did yesterday, and I could feel it in my legs today. We were a bit slower, but it was nice to stretch out and I was able to talk more during the run than I have been. I rushed home and changed to go to tutoring with Isaac. Isaac, who usually struggles with my most basic concepts (because he doesn’t pay a lick of attention in school) knew the answer to all of my current science questions the first time around. No need for repetition or memory games…he knew from class. This is the first time they’ve ever seen this stuff!
I got home and cleaned my room (found my keys), as it has been falling apart during this week (which is kind of owning me.) Though, I’ve been reading, writing, running, singing, working out (Abby and I made weights out of old handles of rum left over from some party), stretching, drinking water, and being more excited about teaching than I’ve been yet.
Beth was throwing a potluck, so I brought my fresh bread-lets of deliciousness and headed her way. Almost all of the teachers were there and some of out Honduran friends. The food was tasty and conversation was good, but when 9 rolled around, I leave to get some sleep.
Day 161 January 15
Friday started out the best day of the week. No missing keys, coffee was in the pot, I got to school really early (shaved 3 minutes off my time AND left 10 minutes early.) Caroline, Sierra, and I have been having morning pow-wows in the teacher’s lounge until 6:20 or so every morning. We’ve been too busy to catch up anytime. It’s a nice coffee drinking, relaxing time.
My classes went pretty smoothly, except that in the beginning of the day, one of my girls was really upset. I asked her what was wrong, but she couldn’t answer. I asked her if it was at home or at school and, bless her heart, she started answering in English. “My friend is, my friend is…muerte” Dead. I now know how difficult it is to comfort a 9 year old on the subject of death through a language barrier. Words weren’t going to help, so I told her that if she needed to leave the room at any time during the day, to just let me know and then I played her some music. She didn’t take me up o my offer until the last period of class when we were just having a class meeting in prep for the next week and to close down this week. We had a blast before lunch spending 40 minutes hammering (I did the hammering) rocks and seeing what they looked like inside. For example, we now know that a lava rock does not have lava in the middle. We also made bookmarks and talked about how cool reading is.
I stayed after school a bit to clean up my room and then went to town. Kelvin had been calling me, so I went to his house for a while to chat before I saw Caroline in the street (bruising my elbows on the windowsill when I went to say hello) and then went to her house. Of course, as this was still apart of this week where things go wrong, I was sitting in the hammock chair, which fell out of the ceiling, bruising my rear and elbows on the floor and hitting me in the head with the bar. Week, really, Week, I just want to be friends.
I took pictures of the kitten and went out to chat with Tammi for a while. I went back to Caroline’s house and chatted with her friend Dave, who’s been staying there for almost a week. A bit before 7 I headed home to meet up with Luis for dinner.
We ate at Jim’s Pizza and talked for a while, but I was tired by 9:30 (being a teacher takes away the option of a late Friday night.)
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